Man jailed following Stuart Smith death

A man has been jailed following the death of Stuart Smith from Tyldesley.

Daniel Walker (15/01/1989) of Devon Street, Tyldesley was found guilty of manslaughter and possessing a bladed article in a public place at Liverpool Crown Court and received an indeterminate sentence for public protection today, Monday 19 November 2012.
He must serve a minimum of six years before being considered eligible for parole.

On 6 May 2012, a party was taking place at a house on Devon Street, Tyldesley. Both Walker and Stuart Smith were at the party and in the early hours of the next morning, Walker approached Mr Smith, claiming he wanted to resolve an issue between them.

Both men walked to the front garden before an argument started and both men threw punches at each other. The fight finished and the victim told Walker to go home.

A short time later, Walker returned to the address where Stuart was smoking a cigarette outside in the front garden and approached him. Holding a knife, Walker stabbed the victim in the torso before Mr Smith ran off, with Walker chasing him.

The victim collapsed outside a house on Rutland Road before an ambulance was called. Stuart was taken to hospital but died from his injuries. Walker fled the scene but later handed himself to police before he was arrested.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Reade from the Major Incident Team said: "Walker had a personal issue with Stuart following an argument a few weeks before and took it upon himself to 'resolve' the situation. Sadly this led to Mr Smith's untimely death.

"He did not like the fact that Stuart had got the better of him during the fight and decided he would take his revenge by stabbing him in the torso before he proved how cowardly he is by running away. When he realised that our investigation was closing in on him he decided to hand himself in to police.

"The local community were horrified by Walker's actions and stood together to support the police investigation and give evidence. They played a large part in helping us to secure this conviction today and I thank them for their support.

"Walker's reckless and needless actions have left Stuart's loved ones without a son, grandson, uncle, cousin, brother and friend. I hope the time he spends behind bars makes him realise the pain and upset he has caused."